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For almost 75 years, Maars Living Walls has been a well-known name in the world of system walls in office buildings, airports, factories, schools, hospitals, stores and hotels, among others. Customization and innovation are standard concepts at the Harderwijk-based company. Acoustics play an increasingly important role.
The name Maars Living Walls stands for multifunctional walls that ventilate, but are also able to absorb sound, for example. The dynamism of the company is reflected in new products and new production methods, but also in new materials and new "looks. "Focus and continuing to develop are absolute necessities in this market," says Evert van den Enden, General Manager for the Netherlands and France at Maars.
The company started in Amsterdam in 1946 as a manufacturer of light fixtures. In 1964, ceiling systems were added, and in 1968 system walls were added. Finally, in 2006, Maars chose to specialize entirely in system walls. Meanwhile, the company had moved (in 1960) to Harderwijk, where to this day the entire process, from production to R&D and sales are brought together. Maars has always been a family business, but has recently been paired with a new strategic owner: American furniture manufacturer Herman Miller. The acquisition offers Maars the opportunity to grow internationally. In particular, the United States is an absolute growth market for Maars.
Creativity plays an increasingly important role in wall design.
Van den Enden explains that focus is an absolute necessity in the world of system walls. "We meet all additional requirements in areas such as fire resistance, acoustics and earthquake resistance. We have the advantage that the Netherlands, especially in the field of acoustics, is one of the leaders in terms of regulations. Our expertise gives us an edge. The walls are tested in our own laboratory in accordance with ISO and ASTM standards. We guarantee quality and durability through more than 140 certificates. All Maars wall systems meet the high requirements of the Cradle to Cradle Certified Bronze certificate. All components are fully reusable. Maars uses sustainable system walls in its projects, which is demonstrated by the BREEAM certificate that the respective building receives. We also have our own trend watchers who make their contribution in terms of aesthetics, because system walls are also subject to fashion."
The United States and Germany are currently the absolute growth markets for Maars. In the Netherlands, the company is involved in major prestigious projects such as the ICC, Eurojust and the Supreme Court. Currently, EMA, Vrije Universiteit and Fontys Hogeschool projects are in progress.
Acoustics is an important component when it comes to system walls. Maars supplies an extensive program of walls and doors in the areas of fire resistance and acoustics. "In the field of acoustics, we supply walls that are sound-insulating down to less than 60 dB. In recent years we have seen a five-fold increase in insulation values in the field of acoustics come by. 80 percent of our products have steel as their base. The combination with a backing of gypsum, for example, provides the right insulation and perforation ensures good sound absorption. Because our own R&D and production are in one location, we are able to quickly deliver the required acoustic performance."
